The Homeschool Connections Podcast

homeschoolconnections
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A podcast for Catholic homeschoolers

  1. 6d ago

    When Homeschooling Is Hard: Family, Faith & Choosing Joy

    How do you keep homeschooling and keep loving your family well when life is extraordinarily hard? Author, speaker, and veteran homeschool mom Mary Lenaburg joins Kaitlin Zara for an honest, hope-filled conversation about homeschooling, parenting a child with profound disabilities, caring for siblings' needs, strengthening a marriage under tremendous pressure, and finding joy even in seasons of suffering. Mary and her husband homeschooled their son, Jonathan, from second grade through high school while raising their daughter, Courtney, who experienced significant medical and developmental challenges throughout her life. Looking back, Mary shares both the beautiful memories and the things she wishes she had done differently. Her advice is refreshingly practical: fall in love with your children and what they love. Get help before you think you need it. Protect your marriage. Let go of the idea that a successful homeschool is measured by completing every page of curriculum. And when a family you love is overwhelmed by medical or special needs, don't simply ask how you can help; show up and do something. Above all, Mary reminds us that joy is not the same thing as having an easy life. It is something deeper, rooted in knowing who we are and trusting God with what we cannot control. This Episode Is Sponsored by John Paul the Great Catholic UniversityJohn Paul the Great Catholic University in California offers hands-on programs in creative arts, digital media, theology, and business within a faithfully Catholic environment. Apply for free and explore free online storytelling courses for homeschool students at: https://jpcatholic.edu/homeschool In This EpisodeKaitlin and Mary discuss: Why Mary began homeschooling in the 1990sHomeschooling a gifted child while caring for a sibling with profound disabilities and medical needsHow homeschooling gave Mary's family greater flexibility during an unusually demanding seasonWhat Mary wishes she had understood about the needs of siblings in special-needs familiesWhy parents should “fall in love with what their children love”The importance of seeking counseling and outside supportProtecting your marriage when parenting and caregiving become overwhelmingWhy being fully present doesn't mean being available to everyone every minuteGiving yourself grace for the parenting decisions you made with the knowledge you had at the timeWhy practical life skills, character, faith, and relationships matter alongside academicsHow friends can practically support families caring for a child with disabilitiesMary's simple advice for helping an overwhelmed parent: “Don't ask, just do.”Finding hope after loss One Big TakeawayA successful homeschool and a successful family aren't ones where everything goes according to plan. Looking back on decades of motherhood, homeschooling, caregiving, marriage, loss, and healing, Mary encourages parents to focus less on checking every academic box and more on the people God has placed in front of them. When life doesn't look anything like you expected, remember Mary's words: “Joy is a choice.” About Mary LenaburgMary Lenaburg is a wife of nearly four decades, mother, grandmother, author, speaker, and veteran homeschool mom. She is the author of the award-winning Be Brave in the Scared, Be Bold in the Broken, and a forthcoming book from Ascension Press arriving in October 2026. Her writing has also appeared in newspapers, magazines, and seven additional books. An acclaimed international speaker, Mary leads retreats, delivers keynotes at conferences, and co-hosts The Mary and Jerry Podcast with her husband. Known for tackling difficult topics with both passion and humor, Mary seeks to help people know that they are seen, known, and loved by God. About Your HostKaitlin Zara is a veteran educator, homeschool mom, and host of the Homeschool Connections Podcast. She combines her classroom experience with the everyday realities of homeschooling to encourage parents to approach education with confidence, flexibility, and joy.

  2. Sep 22

    Why a Public School Principal Chose Homeschooling

    What happens when a public school principal decides to homeschool her own children? After nearly a decade as a principal, literacy specialist, and educator, Liz Powell never imagined that homeschooling would become part of her family's story. But motherhood—and especially thinking about what her own children needed to thrive—changed the way she looked at education. In this episode of the Homeschool Connections Podcast, Kaitlin Zara talks with Liz, known online as Principal in Pajamas, about what she learned from seeing education from both sides of the classroom. Liz shares why she left school administration to homeschool, what public schools do well, and what she believes homeschooling makes possible that even excellent classroom teachers can struggle to provide. She and Kaitlin also talk about individualized learning, ADHD and movement, creating structure at home, letting go of the fear of “falling behind,” teaching real-life skills, and why parents don't need a teaching degree to be effective homeschoolers. This Episode Is Sponsored by John Paul the Great Catholic UniversityJohn Paul the Great Catholic University in California offers hands-on programs in creative arts, digital media, theology, and business within a faithfully Catholic environment. Apply for free and explore free online storytelling courses for homeschool students at: https://jpcatholic.edu/homeschool ResourcesFollow Liz Powell — Principal in Pajamas: https://www.instagram.com/principal_in_pajamas/ Homeschool Connections: https://homeschoolconnections.com/ In This EpisodeKaitlin and Liz discuss: Why a longtime public school principal chose to homeschool her own childrenHow becoming a mother changed Liz's perspective on educationWhat public schools and classroom teachers do well—and where the system can make individualized education difficultWhy one-on-one attention is one of homeschooling's greatest advantagesHomeschooling a child with ADHD and incorporating movement and breaks naturally into the dayWhy “connection before curriculum” mattersHow to give children structure without recreating school at homeVisual schedules, movement breaks, and other practical ways to make homeschool days run more smoothlyWhy it's okay to close the workbook when a curriculum isn't workingHow parents can let go of homeschool guilt and the fear of falling behindWhy former teachers may actually have some things to “unlearn” when they begin homeschoolingWhether you need professional teacher training to successfully homeschool your childrenIncorporating cooking, homemaking, nature, and other real-life experiences into educationHow Liz's definition of a successful education changed after leaving school administrationWhy education doesn't have to revolve around test scores, reading levels, or college readinessEncouragement for parents whose children are struggling academically One Big TakeawayYou don't need to recreate a traditional classroom to give your child an excellent education. Liz encourages parents to remember that homeschooling allows them to do something classroom teachers often wish they could do more easily: slow down, change course, take a movement break, follow a child's interests, spend more time on a difficult concept, or set aside the workbook when it isn't serving the child. Most importantly, parents know their children in a way no outside teacher can. Homeschooling gives families the freedom to build education around the individual child rather than requiring the child to fit the system. About Liz PowellLiz Powell is a former public school principal, literacy specialist, homeschool mom, and content creator living in coastal Maine with her husband and three young children. After nearly a decade serving as a public school principal, Liz stepped away from her career following the birth of her third child and embraced life at home with her family. She began her career through Teach For America, taught in multiple states, and later earned her literacy specialist certification. Today, Liz homeschools her two oldest children and shares practical teaching strategies, literacy support, homeschool ideas, and encouragement for mothers through her Instagram page, Principal in Pajamas. Her perspective combines years of educational leadership and literacy expertise with the everyday experience of homeschooling her own children. About Your HostKaitlin Zara is a veteran educator, homeschool mom, and host of the Homeschool Connections Podcast. She combines her classroom experience with the everyday realities of homeschooling to encourage parents to approach education with confidence, flexibility, and joy.

  3. Sep 15

    Bring History to Life Through Your Family Tree with Maryanne Patterson

    Does history sometimes feel like a disconnected collection of names, dates, and events? What if your children could begin with people they already have a reason to care about? Their own ancestors? In this episode of the Homeschool Connections Podcast, host Kaitlin Zara welcomes longtime Catholic educator, homeschool mom, and curriculum creator Maryanne Patterson for a fascinating conversation about teaching history through genealogy and family stories. Maryanne explains how researching her family tree became one of her family’s most memorable homeschool experiences. By placing their ancestors on a 400-year timeline, exploring the places they lived, and connecting their lives to wars, inventions, saints, immigration, and major historical events, history became personal, meaningful, and unforgettable. This approach also transformed history into a whole-family, interdisciplinary study that incorporated geography, writing, art, research, science, faith, and prayer. Then Maryanne brings the method to life by revealing what she discovered about Kaitlin’s Italian ancestors. It is an emotional and unforgettable reminder that our lives were made possible through generations of love, prayer, courage, sacrifice, and faith. This Episode Is Sponsored by John Paul the Great Catholic University John Paul the Great Catholic University in California offers hands-on programs in the creative arts, digital media, theology, and business—all within a faithfully Catholic environment. Apply for free and explore free online storytelling courses at: https://jpcatholic.edu/homeschool Resources Explore Family of God and Maryanne’s Approach See photographs, examples, project ideas, and information about using genealogy to teach history: https://allfortheepublications.godaddysites.com/ Download Family of God: A Study of History Through Genealogy for Catholic Homeschooling Families https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Family-of-God-A-Study-of-History-Through-Genealogy-for-Catholic-Homeschooling-14937312 Contact Maryanne Patterson allfortheepublications@gmail.com In This Episode Why family stories can give children an engaging doorway into historyHow Maryanne turned genealogy into a multi-age, whole-family homeschool studyCreative project ideas, including ancestral timelines, scrapbooks, maps, biographies, and family interviewsWhy stories help children retain historical facts better than memorization aloneHow genealogy can build gratitude, empathy, resilience, identity, and a sense of belongingSimple and affordable ways to begin researching your family treeHelpful genealogy resources, including Ancestry, FamilySearch, Ellis Island records, and Find a GraveHow family history naturally integrates history, geography, writing, art, science, faith, and prayerWhy speaking with living relatives and preserving their stories should be a priorityMaryanne’s moving discoveries about Kaitlin’s Italian ancestors and their connections to immigration, saints, military service, New York City, and centuries of history One Big Takeaway History becomes more meaningful when children understand that their family did not exist apart from it. Their ancestors lived through wars, migrations, political changes, inventions, epidemics, economic hardship, and cultural transformation. They worked, prayed, sacrificed, raised families, and made decisions that eventually led to the lives we have today. You do not need to research hundreds of years of family history to begin. Start with one photograph, one name, one date, or one conversation with a living relative. About Maryanne Patterson Maryanne Patterson is the creator of the Family of God curriculum and a longtime Catholic educator, homeschool mom, and parish ministry leader. A mother of six and grandmother of four, she spent 15 years homeschooling her children while actively serving her parish in numerous educational and ministry roles, including preschool teacher, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd catechist, ministry coordinator, and Vacation Bible School leader. Inspired by a lifelong interest in genealogy and family history, Maryanne developed Family of God: A Study of History for Catholic Homeschooling Families to help children connect faith, family, and Catholic heritage in meaningful and memorable ways. Her passion is creating resources that strengthen family bonds while fostering a deeper love for the Catholic faith. About Your Host Kaitlin Zara is a veteran educator, homeschool mom, and host of the Homeschool Connections Podcast. See her homeschool blog posts here: https://homeschoolconnections.com/author/?n=245991

  4. Sep 10

    Why I’d still homeschool even if school options were great

    Kaitlin Unscripted Episode 13: No scripts, no interviews—just homeschool real talk. What if you could design the perfect school for your child? Choose the curriculum, class size, teachers, and everything else? Would you still homeschool? Kaitlin's answer is yes. In this episode of Kaitlin Unscripted, Kaitlin shares why homeschooling has become much more than an alternative to traditional school for her family. It's a choice she would make even if every other educational option were exactly what she wanted. In This EpisodeKaitlin talks about: The freedom to follow a child's interests and individual learning styleWhy the whole world can become a homeschooler's classroomHow children learn from far more people than just MomLetting learning fit naturally into family life instead of arranging family life around schoolCreating a healthy rhythm of busy days, quiet days, work, play, and even boredomWhy one-on-one attention allows parents to recognize what makes each child uniqueThe irreplaceable love and attention parents bring to their children's education One Big TakeawayHomeschooling doesn't have to be something families choose because other educational options have failed them. It can be something they intentionally choose because of what homeschooling uniquely offers. For Kaitlin, that means freedom, flexibility, learning woven into everyday life, and the opportunity to give her children an education shaped by the people who know and love them best. About Your HostKaitlin Zara is a veteran educator, homeschool mom, and host of the Homeschool Connections Podcast. See her related blog posts here: https://homeschoolconnections.com/author/?n=245991

  5. Sep 8

    The Joy of Homeschooling High School with Rachel Kovac

    “Are you going to homeschool through high school?” For many homeschool parents, that question carries an unspoken warning: high school is different, more complicated, and perhaps too difficult to manage at home. Rachel Kovac offers a very different perspective. In this episode of the Homeschool Connections Podcast, host Kaitlin Zara welcomes Rachel, author of Their Future Is Shining Bright, for an inspiring and practical conversation about the tremendous possibilities of homeschooling the high school years. Together, Kaitlin and Rachel discuss college preparation, alternative pathways, standardized testing, internships, career exploration, screen habits, peer pressure, and the lasting value of simply enjoying life with our children. This Episode Is Sponsored by John Paul the Great Catholic University John Paul the Great Catholic University in California offers hands-on programs in the creative arts, digital media, theology, and business—all within a faithfully Catholic environment. Apply for free and explore free online storytelling courses at: https://jpcatholic.edu/homeschool Resources Read Rachel Kovac’s Substack https://substack.com/@rachelkovac Follow Rachel on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rachelstitchedtogether/ Learn More About Rachel’s Book, Their Future Is Shining Bright https://mediacenter.tyndale.com/search?q=Rachel%20Kovac&c= Find the Book on Amazon https://amzn.to/3UB6OJi Kaitlin’s blog article, 10 Benefits of Homeschooling Through High School https://homeschoolconnections.com/10-benefits-of-homeschooling-through-high-school/ In This Episode What a successful homeschool high school experience can look likeWhy faith, family connection, healthy relationships, and vocation matter alongside academicsHow interest-led learning and strong core academics can work togetherWhy the high school years offer time for internships, businesses, creative projects, volunteering, and career explorationHow homeschooling helps teens develop independence, self-direction, and time-management skillsHow peer pressure and the desire to belong can shape teenage choicesWhy homeschoolers can still enjoy proms, graduations, friendships, and other memorable high school experiencesHow job shadowing and real-world experience can help teens make wiser college and career decisionsWhy college is not the right path for every studentWhy teens benefit from relationships with people of many different agesHow books, conversation, faith, and family culture continue forming students into adulthoodWhy enjoying our children now can help build strong relationships with them laterRachel’s encouragement for parents who feel weary in the work of homeschooling One Big Takeaway Homeschooling gives teenagers time to pursue academics, develop independence, explore possible careers, serve others, deepen their faith, and discover the interests and gifts that make them uniquely themselves. Just as importantly, it gives families more time for the ordinary moments that form lasting relationships. Rachel reminds parents that this work is worth it, even when it becomes tiring. The love poured into our children is never wasted. About Rachel Kovac Rachel Kovac brings a fresh and much-needed voice to the homeschooling community, focusing on the unique challenges and opportunities of the often-overlooked high school years. As a writer, speaker, and educator, Rachel understands the uncertainty many parents feel when deciding whether to homeschool through high school. Drawing from years of experience homeschooling her own children and helping them enter college with scholarships, she empowers families with vision, practical guidance, and encouragement. Rachel helps parents approach academics, college admissions, and alternative pathways with confidence while nurturing a home life rooted in connection, purpose, and love. She lives in Texas with her husband and four of their six children, while their two eldest attend college. When she is not writing or homeschooling, Rachel enjoys photography, sewing, gardening, baking sourdough, and learning Italian. About Your Host Kaitlin Zara is a veteran educator, homeschool mom, and host of the Homeschool Connections Podcast. See her homeschool blog posts here: https://homeschoolconnections.com/author/?n=245991

  6. Sep 3

    What Homeschooling Has Exposed About Me | Kaitlin Unscripted Ep 12

    We spend a lot of time thinking about how homeschooling is shaping our children—but what if it's shaping us just as much? In this episode of Kaitlin Unscripted, Kaitlin gets candid about five things homeschooling has exposed in her own life: tying her worth to productivity, wanting immediate results, trying to control the schedule, rushing through the day, and realizing just how much grace she needs. She shares how homeschooling has taught her to loosen her grip on perfection, trust the learning process, slow down for the moments that matter, and remember that connection matters more than completion. In This EpisodeKaitlin talks about: Why a completed to-do list doesn't determine your worth as a homeschool momLearning to be patient when your children don't grasp something immediatelyTrading rigid schedules for more flexible rhythmsChoosing which moments of family life you refuse to rushGiving yourself grace when homeschooling doesn't go perfectlyHow homeschooling can form parents as deeply as it forms their children One Big TakeawayPerfection isn't the goal. Faithfulness is. Homeschooling gives us countless opportunities to grow alongside our children—to try again tomorrow, apologize when necessary, laugh when things fall apart, and trust God with the children He has entrusted to us. About Your Host Kaitlin Zara is a veteran educator, homeschool mom, and host of the Homeschool Connections Podcast. See Kaitlin’s homeschool blog posts here: https://homeschoolconnections.com/author/?n=245991

  7. Sep 1

    Homeschool Preschool Without the Pressure: Let Them Play… and Learn with Jenny Bales

    Does Your Preschooler Need a Curriculum? For many new homeschool parents, this question comes with a surprising amount of pressure. Should a four-year-old be learning letter sounds, practicing handwriting, and completing structured lessons? Or should the early years be filled with stories, mud, blocks, imagination, and unhurried family life? In this episode of the Homeschool Connections Podcast, host Kaitlin Zara welcomes veteran homeschool mom, consultant, and speaker Jenny Bales back to the show for an encouraging conversation about play-based learning, school readiness, and what young children truly need before formal academics begin. Jenny explains that parents do not necessarily have to choose between learning and play. Young children can learn letters, numbers, language, motor skills, habits, and social skills. However, the way they learn in the early years should look very different from traditional classroom instruction. Together, Kaitlin and Jenny discuss how to recognize readiness, introduce early academics without pressure, establish peaceful family rhythms, and trust that children are learning far more through ordinary life than parents may realize. This Episode Is Sponsored by Into the Deep Catholic homeschool moms, we’ve got something you’re going to love! If you’re looking for beautiful Catholic faith formation, practical homeschool encouragement, and lots of free resources, you’ll feel right at home at Into the Deep. Visit: https://intothedeep.co today! Use code HOMESCHOOL10 to save 10%. Resources Visit Heart of a Mother Find encouragement, consulting, and practical support for Catholic homeschooling mothers: https://heartofamother.net/ Join the Free Heart of a Mother Facebook Group Connect with Jenny and a community of Catholic homeschool moms: https://www.facebook.com/groups/heartofamothermoms Helpful articles on homeschooling preschool: https://homeschoolconnections.com/category/homeschool-preschool/ In This Episode How a child’s readiness and interest should guide the timing of instructionWhy early learning looks different from upper-elementary learningHow pushing academics too early can affect curiosity, attention, self-regulation, and a love of learningThe difference between “we have to” and “we get to” learnHow routines, hygiene, dressing, chores, and cooperation prepare children for later academic successWays to teach letters, sounds, shapes, counting, and early writing through games and everyday lifeHow read-alouds build vocabulary, listening skills, attention span, comprehension, and patienceHow to tell when a child is ready to hold a pencil, learn to read, or begin foundational mathThe foundational skills Jenny recommends before formal academicsHow to help a child learn to play independently without relying on screensAffordable ways to make room for messy play without overwhelming your homeHow to introduce reading, handwriting, and foundational math gentlyWhy formal sit-down learning may only need to take about 30 minutes a day at this age One Big Takeaway Young children do not need their days recreated to look like a traditional classroom. They are learning when they listen to stories, build with blocks, paint, dig in the mud, help with chores, dress themselves, talk with adults, negotiate with siblings, explore outside, and live alongside their families. As Jenny reminds parents, the early years are not a race toward formal academics. The goal is to preserve curiosity, create good habits, build foundational skills, and help children see learning as something joyful. Live life with your children. They are learning simply by living beside you. About Jenny Bales Jenny Bales is a Catholic homeschooling mom, homeschool consultant, and speaker whose mission is to share her love of homeschooling while helping mothers gain confidence, grow in peace, and homeschool with joy. She has homeschooled her four children for the past 19 years, including graduating two students who were homeschooled from kindergarten through 12th grade. Jenny loves Jesus in the Eucharist and days when her entire family is together and laughing. A full-blown extrovert living among introverts, she jumps at any opportunity to spend time with other women. When she is home, she enjoys college football, detective novels, jigsaw puzzles, and sweet tea. Connect with Jenny and discover her support for Catholic homeschooling mothers at: https://heartofamother.net/ About Your Host Kaitlin Zara is a veteran educator, homeschool mom, and host of the Homeschool Connections Podcast. See her homeschool blog posts here: https://homeschoolconnections.com/author/?n=245991

  8. Aug 27

    What's In It for You, Mama? 6 Unexpected Gifts of Homeschooling | Kaitlin Unscripted Ep 11

    Kaitlin Unscripted Episode 11: No scripts, no interviews—just homeschool real talk. We often talk about all the ways homeschooling benefits our children, but what if homeschooling is changing you, too? In one of her most personal episodes yet, Kaitlin Zara shares something she's rarely said out loud: homeschooling isn't only a gift for our children, it's a gift for us as parents. From having a front-row seat to childhood to creating a home culture your family loves, Kaitlin reflects on six unexpected ways homeschooling has enriched her own life. Through heartfelt stories and honest encouragement, she reminds moms that it's okay to acknowledge the joy, growth, and fulfillment that homeschooling brings to them as well. In this episode, you'll discover: Why having a front-row seat to your children's childhood is priceless How homeschooling creates deeper parent-child relationships The joy of building a family culture around your values Why every homeschool day can become something worth celebrating How homeschooling teaches moms to slow down and live in the present The surprising ways homeschooling transforms us into more patient, grateful, and joyful mothers If you've ever wondered whether it's okay to admit that homeschooling blesses you too, this episode is for you. This episode is sponsored by Homeschool Connections. Homeschool Connections partners with Catholic homeschooling families by providing live online courses taught by outstanding instructors. Whether you're looking for academic support, enrichment, or help teaching challenging subjects, Homeschool Connections is here to serve your family while preserving the flexibility you love about homeschooling. Learn more: https://homeschoolconnections.com  Kaitlin Zara is a veteran educator, homeschool mom, and host of the Homeschool Connections Podcast. See her related blog posts here: https://homeschoolconnections.com/author/?n=245991  Please share this episode with another homeschool mom who needs the reminder that homeschooling blesses her, too.

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A podcast for Catholic homeschoolers

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